pancakes in the morning for breakfast.” I try enticing her appetite with one of her favorite foods. “Lots of syrup,” I say again, this time gaining a fleeting grin on her face.
“With butter? And in the shape of Minnie Mouse?” she momentarily perks up, asking me.
“Oh, absolutely,” I offer.
“Maybe I can help you, Auntie Bella and we can make extra for Daddy.” The squeak of her tiny voice is laced with hopefulness and my heart briefly sings with joy.
“Yes, I think that’s a great idea, Harmony.” It’s not much right now, but it’s something and a step in a promising direction. “Now, let’s get your teeth brushed and get you to bed, huh?”
Another yawn overtakes her as she nods. Once I’ve helped her, she walks toward her bedroom and crawls under her blankets before resting her head on her pillow. Her eyes begin to flutter as sleep begins to carry her away, before they pop back wide open. “Wait. I haven’t said goodnight to Daddy yet.”
“I’m right here, baby girl,” Rogue’s deep, raspy voice is spoken behind me. Turning my head over my shoulder I see him standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms folded across his chest, wearing a stoic expression on his face. Uncrossing his arms, he makes his way toward Harmony’s bed and I stand, allowing him space to sit next to her.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” I say as I turn on my heel and make my way out of the bedroom.
Rogue
As I take up residence beside Outlaw on her bed, I lean down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere. Ever. I’ll always be by your side, my precious girl.” While I cannot honestly know this to be a fact, I refuse to allow my daughter to continue to be worried or haunted by what-if’s. Either way this plays out in the end, I refuse to watch her continue to wither away and live in constant fear. So, anything I can do to ease those things, I will do without a shred of remorse; because right now, that’s what she needs most. I begin to rub the top of her head, running my fingers through her hair. “Rest, my little Outlaw. After all, it sounds like we have lots of pancakes to make and eat in the morning.”
A tired, small giggle escapes her and I can feel my own lips curl upward slightly at the delight of that beautiful sound. She reaches for my hand and takes it into her own through her now closed lids, indicating she’s somewhere between awake and dreamland. “Goodnight, Daddy. I love you.”
Drawing her small, fragile hand to my lips, I kiss it. “I love you too, my girl.”
While Bella was busy giving Harmony a bath, I placed a call to Sledge and Coder. They’re both on their way along with their old ladies and children in tow. Sleep has eluded me for days now and since we’ve laid my Rora in her final resting spot, it’s time to get down to business. But I know I’ll need a clearer mind and that will only come with some much needed shut eye, which is impossible unless I’m almost certain that my daughter is being watched over as she sleeps. There’s still a threat, an enemy walking around somewhere out there. And whatever the new normal will be that we will call our life won’t be possible until I have some answers and sins have been paid for. So, they’ve agreed to take turns looking after her while I tackle some sleep.
“Sledge, Coder, and their families will be on their way shortly,” I inform Bella who’s absentmindedly cleaning areas of my house that are already spotless. I grab the bottle of whiskey from the counter and pour myself a glass. Before taking a swig, I look over at her and ask, “Want one?” I offer as I hold the bottle up.
Staring back at me, she’s paused her unnecessary tidying up of the place and stands still, holding the rag she was using to dust within her hands; nervously wringing and twisting it. “I-I mean, I suppose one wouldn’t hurt,” she staggers out.
She’s anxious and everything she’s doing and even the way she’s speaking are exuding just that, but I pretend not to notice. I’m not one who’s ever been great at placing myself in the shoes of another, but I know she’s wracked with as much guilt